Mamelodi Sundowns
By Sello Masilo
Mamelodi Sundowns secured their place in the CAF Champions League final with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Al Ahly in the second leg of the semi-final on April 25, 2025, at Cairo International Stadium. Advancing on the away-goals rule after a goalless first leg, Sundowns’ resilience and a late own goal by Al Ahly’s Yasser Ibrahim sealed their third final appearance and first since their 2016 triumph. This victory keeps alive the dream of an all-South African final, with Sundowns set to face the winner of the Pyramids FC and Orlando Pirates semi-final.
A Tense First Half Dominated by Al Ahly
The match kicked off at 1:00 PM SAST in front of a full-capacity crowd at Cairo International Stadium, creating an electrifying atmosphere. Al Ahly, the defending champions and record 14-time winners, started aggressively, leveraging their home advantage. Sundowns, known as “Masandawana,” faced early pressure but held firm with disciplined defending.
In the 5th minute, Sundowns’ Marcelo Allende set up Lucas Ribeiro for a cross-shot that was deflected by Al Ahly’s defence. The visitors continued to probe, with Tashreeq Matthews narrowly missing the target in the 8th minute. However, Al Ahly responded, as Marwan Attia fired a shot wide from outside the box in the 13th minute.
The turning point of the first half came in the 23rd minute when Taher Mohamed scored for Al Ahly. A swift counterattack saw Mohamed control the ball outside the area and unleash a powerful right-footed strike past Sundowns’ goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead. Al Ahly nearly doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute when Mohamed Hany’s pass found Emam Ashour, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Williams. Nejc Gradisar also came close for Al Ahly, but his effort was ruled offside.
Sundowns showed signs of a comeback before halftime. In the 43rd minute, Teboho Mokoena’s long-range effort was parried by Al Ahly’s goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy. Despite their persistence, Sundowns trailed 1-0 at the break, with Al Ahly holding a slight edge on aggregate.
A Thrilling Second Half and a Late Twist
The second half began with both teams tightening their play. Al Ahly’s Rami Rabia earned a yellow card in the 48th minute for a foul on Lucas Ribeiro, while Ribeiro himself was cautioned two minutes later for a challenge on Marwan Attia. Sundowns pushed for an equaliser, and in the 49th minute, Ribeiro’s left-footed shot was saved by El-Shenawy. Moments later, Ribeiro’s cross-shot was blocked by Al Ahly’s defence, highlighting Sundowns’ growing attacking intent.
Al Ahly responded with a chance of their own in the 66th minute, as Taher Mohamed’s left-footed strike from inside the box missed the target. Sundowns’ coach Miguel Cardoso made strategic substitutions to spark a comeback, bringing on Themba Zwane for Jayden Adams in the 64th minute and Iqraam Rayners for Ribeiro in the 73rd minute. Al Ahly countered with substitutions, including Wessam Abou Ali for Nejc Gradisar in the 60th minute and Achraf Bencharki for Taher Mohamed in the 78th minute.
As the clock ticked down, Sundowns’ persistence paid off. In the 86th minute, Mokoena’s 30-metre strike was saved by El-Shenawy, but the defining moment came in the 89th minute. A Sundowns attack led to chaos in Al Ahly’s box, and Yasser Ibrahim inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, levelling the score at 1-1. The own goal shifted the tie in Sundowns’ favour, as their away goal gave them the edge on aggregate.
In stoppage time, Al Ahly made a final push, substituting Mohamed Magdy Afsha and Hussein El Shahat for Mohamed Hany and Ahmed Reda. However, Sundowns’ defence, anchored by Grant Kekana and Mosa Lebusa, held firm. The final whistle confirmed a 1-1 draw, sending Sundowns to the CAF Champions League final on the away-goals rule.
Key Performers and Tactical Insights
Sundowns’ success was a testament to their resilience and tactical discipline. Teboho Mokoena was a standout, driving the midfield with his work rate and long-range efforts. Lucas Ribeiro, despite his early yellow card, was a constant threat, creating chances and stretching Al Ahly’s defence. Themba Zwane’s introduction in the second half added creativity, with the veteran midfielder’s experience proving vital in the closing stages.
For Al Ahly, Taher Mohamed’s first-half goal showcased his attacking prowess, while Emam Ashour’s five goals in the tournament underlined his importance to the team. However, their inability to convert further chances, coupled with Ibrahim’s late own goal, proved costly. Al Ahly’s defence, marshalled by Mostafa Al Aash and Yasser Ibrahim, was solid for much of the match but faltered at the crucial moment.
Sundowns’ recent dominance over Al Ahly—unbeaten in their last eight meetings, with 11 goals scored and five conceded—gave them confidence going into the tie. Their ability to secure a clean sheet in the first leg and a vital away goal in Cairo highlighted their growth as a continental powerhouse. Al Ahly, despite their home unbeaten streak in the CAF Champions League since 2021, couldn’t overcome Sundowns’ tenacity.
Historical Context and Rivalry
The clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly is one of African football’s great modern rivalries. Since 2021, Sundowns have held the upper hand, winning five of their last 14 meetings, with Al Ahly securing four victories and five draws. Notable past encounters include Sundowns’ 5-2 thrashing of Al Ahly in March 2023 and a 1-0 win in March 2022. Their most recent meeting before this semi-final, a 0-0 draw in the African Football League in November 2023, underscored the fine margins between the two sides.
Sundowns’ only CAF Champions League title came in 2016, while Al Ahly have dominated the competition, winning four of the last five editions. This semi-final victory marks a significant step for Sundowns in their quest to add a second star to their badge and cement their status as Africa’s elite.
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